An imaging system of a vehicle is provided herein. A camera is configured to capture images of a rear vehicle scene containing a trailer attached to the vehicle. A device is configured to remove contaminants on a lens of the camera. A controller is configured to analyze the captured images and activate the device based on the image quality of the captured images and a motion of the trailer relative to the vehicle.
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1. An imaging system of a vehicle, comprising: a camera configured to capture images of a rear vehicle scene containing a trailer attached to the vehicle; a device configured to remove contaminants on a lens of the camera; and a controller configured to: analyze the captured images; determine a rate of image degradation due to the presence of contaminants on the lens; predict when the vehicle and the trailer will reach a maximum hitch angle based on the captured images; and activate the device to remove contaminants based on the image quality of the captured images and a motion of the trailer relative to the vehicle.
A vehicle imaging system includes a camera pointed at the rear to capture images of a trailer attached to the vehicle. A cleaning device removes dirt or obstructions from the camera lens. A controller analyzes the camera images to determine how quickly the image quality is degrading due to lens contamination. It also predicts when the vehicle and trailer will reach their maximum hitch angle (the point of maximum turning). Based on both the image quality and the predicted hitch angle, the controller activates the cleaning device to clean the lens.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller determines the rate of image degradation by analyzing the edge contrast along lines of the captured images.
The vehicle imaging system from the previous description determines how quickly the image is degrading by analyzing the contrast of edges within the camera images. The controller looks at lines in the captured images and measures how sharp the edges are along those lines. Reduced edge contrast indicates that the lens is becoming dirty and needs cleaning.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to predict when the lens of the camera will need to be cleaned based on the rate of image degradation.
The vehicle imaging system, which uses a rear camera to view a trailer and a lens cleaning device, includes a controller that predicts when the lens needs cleaning based on the rate at which the image quality is degrading. The controller monitors image quality over time and estimates when the lens will be too dirty, triggering a cleaning cycle.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein if the controller predicts that the lens of the camera will need to be cleaned at approximately the same time as the trailer reaches the maximum hitch angle, the controller activates the device to remove contaminants on the lens prior to the trailer reaching the maximum hitch angle.
The vehicle imaging system described earlier predicts both the lens cleaning time and the maximum trailer hitch angle. If the controller predicts that the lens will need cleaning at approximately the same time the trailer reaches its maximum hitch angle, the controller activates the cleaning device *before* the trailer reaches that maximum angle. This ensures optimal visibility during the most difficult maneuver.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one of a lens sprayer, a lens wiper, a lens blower, and a lens agitator.
The vehicle imaging system with a rear camera and trailer view uses a lens cleaning device. This device can be a sprayer that sprays cleaning fluid on the lens, a wiper that physically wipes the lens clean, a blower that blows air across the lens to remove debris, or an agitator that vibrates the lens to dislodge contaminants. It may use any combination of these cleaning methods.
6. An imaging system of a vehicle, comprising: a camera configured to capture images of a rear vehicle scene containing a trailer; and a controller configured to: analyze the captured images; determine a rate of image degradation based the presence of contaminants on a lens of the camera; predict when the vehicle and the trailer will reach a maximum hitch angle; and issue a lens cleaning command based on the prediction and the rate of image degradation.
A vehicle imaging system includes a rear camera for viewing a trailer. A controller analyzes the camera images to determine the rate of image degradation due to lens contamination. The controller also predicts when the vehicle and trailer will reach their maximum hitch angle. Based on both this prediction and the image degradation rate, the controller issues a command to clean the lens.
7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a device for receiving the lens cleaning command and configured to remove contaminants on a lens of the camera, the device comprising at least one of a lens sprayer, a lens wiper, a lens blower, and a lens agitator.
The vehicle imaging system described previously includes a cleaning device that receives the lens cleaning command from the controller. The cleaning device can be a sprayer, a wiper, a blower, or an agitator. Any of these devices, or a combination, can be used to remove contaminants from the camera lens. The system has a rear camera that views the trailer, and the lens cleaning command is based on image degradation and trailer hitch angle.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller determines the rate of image degradation by analyzing the edge contrast along lines of the captured images.
In the vehicle imaging system where the controller issues a lens cleaning command based on image degradation and trailer hitch angle, the controller determines the rate of image degradation by analyzing the edge contrast along lines in the captured images from the rear trailer camera. Lower edge contrast indicates a dirtier lens and triggers a faster cleaning schedule.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to analyze the rate of image degradation to predict when the lens of the camera will need to be cleaned.
The vehicle imaging system featuring a controller that issues lens cleaning commands based on image degradation and predicted trailer hitch angle, also uses the controller to analyze the rate of image degradation to further predict specifically when the lens of the camera will need to be cleaned. This prediction refines the cleaning schedule.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller predicts when the maximum hitch angle will be reached based on the captured images.
The vehicle imaging system where the controller analyzes image degradation and trailer hitch angle includes a controller that uses the captured images of the trailer to predict when the vehicle and trailer will reach the maximum hitch angle. This prediction is used in conjunction with image degradation analysis to trigger lens cleaning.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein if the controller predicts that the lens of the camera will need to be cleaned at approximately the same time as the trailer reaches the maximum hitch angle, the controller issues the lens cleaning command prior to the trailer reaching the maximum hitch angle.
In the imaging system that analyzes image degradation and predicts trailer hitch angle, if the controller predicts that the lens will need to be cleaned around the same time the trailer reaches maximum hitch angle, the controller issues the lens cleaning command before the trailer reaches the maximum angle. This ensures visibility during tight turns.
12. An imaging method for a vehicle, comprising the steps of: capturing images of a rear vehicle scene containing a trailer; analyzing the captured images; determining a rate of image degradation based on the presence of contaminants on a lens of the camera; predicting when the vehicle and the trailer will reach a maximum hitch angle; and issuing a lens cleaning command based on the prediction and the rate of image degradation.
A vehicle imaging method involves capturing images of a trailer using a camera. The captured images are then analyzed to determine the rate at which the image is degrading due to contamination on the lens. The system also predicts when the vehicle and trailer will reach their maximum hitch angle. Based on these factors (image degradation rate and hitch angle prediction), a command is issued to clean the lens.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the step of analyzing the rate of image degradation to predict when the lens of the camera will need to be cleaned.
The vehicle imaging method that involves capturing images of a trailer and cleaning the camera lens, further includes analyzing the rate of image degradation to predict when the lens of the camera will need to be cleaned. This prediction is used to determine when to issue the lens cleaning command.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the step of predicting is based on analysis of the captured images.
The imaging method includes predicting when lens cleaning is required. This prediction, used in conjunction with trailer hitch angle prediction, is based on analysis of the captured images of the trailer. By monitoring image quality over time, the system determines when the lens will be too dirty and need cleaning.
15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of issuing the lens cleaning command if the trailer is predicted to reach the maximum hitch angle at approximately the same time as the lens of the camera is predicted to require cleaning.
The imaging method includes predicting when lens cleaning is needed and also predicting when the trailer will reach maximum hitch angle. If the system predicts that the lens will need cleaning at approximately the same time the trailer reaches its maximum hitch angle, the method further includes issuing the lens cleaning command.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of at least one of spraying the lens, wiping the lens, blowing air across the lens, and agitating the lens to remove contaminants thereon.
The vehicle imaging method for trailer cameras includes determining when to clean the lens. Once the cleaning command is issued, the method further includes at least one of these actions: spraying the lens with cleaning fluid, wiping the lens to remove contaminants, blowing air across the lens to remove debris, and agitating the lens to dislodge contaminants.
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January 16, 2015
March 28, 2017
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